The next round of cutoffs for NASCAR’s top series descended upon Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL track last weekend. While the focus is on the top drivers now in the Round of 8, it does also allow many underdogs to fly under the radar and pull out a few surprises, and upset the playoff field.
Xfinity Series / Drive for the Cure 250
Josh Bilicki (#19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota):Â Bilicki made his 16th start of the season, this time behind the wheel of the Insurance King #19 Toyota. Despite the media assumptions he would have an average day at the ROVAL, it was not the case. Bilicki qualified 4th, led 10 laps, and finished 8th. Bilicki has one other start for JGR this season as well, finishing 12th in Portland.
Alex Labbe (#91 DGM Racing Chevrolet):Â A regular competitor in the NASCAR’s Canada Series, Labbe also has 156 Xfinity Series starts dating back to 2016. Making start number four (and his first for DGM) this season, Labbe wheeled Mario Gosselin’s #91 Chevrolet to a season-best 14th.
Parker Retzlaff (#31 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet):Â Results have not been kind to Retzlaff and his #31 crew most of the summer. Seemingly being bitten by the bad luck bug, the ROVAL provided some solace this past weekend. Retzlaff drove the #31 Chevrolet to 12th place, after qualifying 20th.
Cup Series / Bank of America ROVAL 400
Austin Cindric (#2 Penske Racing Ford): Â The #2 Ford crew make their second appearance this season in this article series. Cindric’s background lies in road racing, and this gave the Penske driver a solid post-season run, finishing 4th in his yellow Menards / Sylvania Ford. Cindric also has one win this season in Gateway.
Kaulig Racing (#13 and #16 Chevrolets):Â The Cup Series trophy hunting teams both had strong runs on the ROVAL, thanks to having two road course superstars on board. Veteran A.J. Allmendinger led 14 laps and finished 6th in Kaulig’s #16 Chevrolet. Meanwhile rookie Shane van Gisbergen drove the #13 to 7th, after leading the first 21 laps.
Kyle Busch (#8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet):Â While it seems odd to consider Kyle Busch to not be at the top in 2024, the #8 RCR crew and it’s driver have not had much to write home about. Often being bitten by bad luck, the ROVAL was relatively kind to Busch, with him finishing an uneventful 13th in his Lenovo Chevrolet.